If everyone in the world could read one book...

[thestonesfan]

...which one would you have them read? Why?

Talk amongst yourselves.

 

[polymath]

Can't see any poll.

It would have to be a good book on evolution by someone like Darwin, Dawkins, or Stephen Jones.

Reason: So people can see what a rational, well-thought-out explanation for the diversity of life looks like. To get them to realise that there is usually a logical explanation for everything.

It's a very difficult question, the stonesfan My second choice would be Lord Of The Rings, just because it is such a good book.

 

[addiv]

I don't know if many people would understand, let alone be interested in Darwin or Jones, polymath.

I think I would let them read some old tale about good and bad to teach them some basic morality, hoping it will result in less violence in the world.

 

[thestonesfan]

Sorry about the no-poll. I was going to make one, but didn't click the box. I edited the post, but it seems it didn't take. Apologies!

Here were the books I was going to include on the poll:

The Bible
Das Kapital
Atlas Shrugged
Mein Kampf
The Adventures of the Babysitter's Club

 

[Aphex_Twin]

George Orwell - "1984"
Jean Jacques Rousseau - "Social Contract"
Adam Smith - "The Wealth of Nations"
Malcom Little - "The Autobiography of Malcom X"

 

[thestonesfan]

Originally posted by Aphex_Twin
George Orwell - "1984"
Jean Jacques Rousseau - "Social Contract"
Adam Smith - "The Wealth of Nations"
Malcom Little - "The Autobiography of Malcom X"

Are those in some kind of compendium edition now?

 

[jpowers]

Please refer to sig.

 

[Aphex_Twin]

There should be at least... The "Books for the people" compendium

I really can't decide between those.

 

[Eastern Knight]

Bible

 

[Jorge]

The best book ever: Don Quijote de la Mancha.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Animal Farm by Orwell. A human from any place or point in history would understand exactly what its about and what its trying to say.

 

[Ozz]

Worlds in Collision By Dr. Immanuel Velikovsky

Science?

 

[thestonesfan]

I have yet to read Animal Farm or 1984, but I plan to. I do think "Animals" is one of Pink Floyd's best records!

As for myself, I say Atlas Shrugged.

 

[Aphex_Twin]

Animal Farm is a small booklet which you could read in one afternoon. 1984 would take 2,3 days.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Its not as good as holding it in your hand, but heres an online version.

http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/animalfarm/

I think I lean more towards Dark Side of The Moon

 

[EzInKy]

Robert Heinlein's "Time Enough For Love".

 

[thestonesfan]

Originally posted by EzInKy
Robert Heinlein's "Time Enough For Love".

What's that about?

 

[RoddyVR]

Originally posted by Dumb pothead
Animal Farm by Orwell. A human from any place or point in history would understand exactly what its about and what its trying to say.

while i tend to agree with you in theory, in practice i know that that statement isnt true.

when we read that book in 10th or 11th grade i thought it was great and (like you) though that it would apply to prety much everyone's world.

however, 90% of the class was completely oblivious of the point of the book.
"why did the pigs start walking on two legs?, there's no way that can happen" was proly the most common response to the book in that class.

 

[jpowers]

Originally posted by RoddyVR


while i tend to agree with you in theory, in practice i know that that statement isnt true.

when we read that book in 10th or 11th grade i thought it was great and (like you) though that it would apply to prety much everyone's world.

however, 90% of the class was completely oblivious of the point of the book.
"why did the pigs start walking on two legs?, there's no way that can happen" was proly the most common response to the book in that class.

Ah, High School English teachers. Truly the last refuge of starry-eyed idealists on the planet. Only someone as removed from reality as they could possibly hope that 16-year olds would be able to concentrate on anything of deeper meaning than the girl/boy sitting two rows over that might have looked their way once in the hallway. Animal farm would be better for 12-year olds or 19-year olds, but anyone that close to losing their virginity is never going to be able to pay attention to allegory or metaphor.

 

[Simon Darkshade]

I'm the farthest thing from a starry eyed idealist.